tainted as they are

[TNdaSZ]

Those involved in the poster movement (of advocating for democracy) are as critical of the CPC as activists from Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Taiwan. But some of them worry about being accused of supporting those other campaigns (than simply pursuing democracy), tainted as they are by separatism in the eyes of many mainland Chinese.

The way "as" is used here is normally interpreted as "Though......", therefore it is "though they are tainted by.......".

But "though" doesn't seem to make sense in this sentence. Instead, "because they are tainted by...." makes more sense.

So is it a mistake to use "as" like that in the given sentence?

Thanks!

 

[grassy]

"Tainted as they are" there expresses a reason rather than a contrast to me.

 

[TNdaSZ]

"Tainted as they are" there expresses a reason rather than a contrast to me.

Yeah that's exactly what I thought. That's why I was wondering if the writer wasn't supposed to write it like that. Shouldn't he have simply written "because/as they are tainted by....."?

 

[cidertree]

"tainted as they are by separatism" can be read as "which are tainted by separatism"

 

[Cagey]

Please remember to name your source, TNdaSZ.

Where did you see this?

 

[TNdaSZ]

Please remember to name your source, TNdaSZ.

Where did you see this?

“The Economist (2022.11.19)", page 38, The fourth to last paragraph.

 

[RM1(SS)]

I read it as "tainted, in the way that they are, by...."